Sussex politicians pay tribute to MP Jo Cox

Sussex politicians have paid tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after she was reportedly shot and stabbed in an incident in Yorkshire yesterday (Thursday June 16).

The mother-of-two, who was first elected to represent Batley and Spen in 2015, was attacked outside Birstall Library near Leeds where she had been holding an advice surgery.

A man has been arrested following the incident, according to police.

In a Facebook post Peter Kyle, Labour’s Hove MP, described how she was ‘fantastically upbeat and optimistic’ and how the two of them would often sit together in the House of Commons chamber as newly-elected MPs.

He said her death was ‘incomprehensible’ and added: “Jo was everything I believe an MP should be: values driven, hard working, funny, but above all extremely caring. She had all this by the bucket load.”

In a Tweet yesterday, Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, added: “The tragic death of our colleague Jo Cox has robbed Parliament and our country of an impressive politician who achieved so much for others in such a short career in the Commons and it reminds us that MPs are no less vulnerable and no different to anyone else. She was above all a loving mother, wife and daughter who just happened to be a rather good politician, public servant and humanitarian as well and will be missed.”

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas added: “Will try to honour Jo in only way I know: fighting hatred and working hard for constituents, as she did. She was an inspiration.”

“MPs across the House were affected by her commitment to her constituents, to humanity and to the causes she believed in, and were touched and awed by the heartfelt and determined way in which she fought for her principles during her all too short time as an MP.

“Whenever I met her, it was clear to me that she was a dignified, compassionate and caring woman who will be a huge loss to her community and to politics.”

Mid Sussex MP Sir Nicholas Soames added: “Such terrible news I pray her family will truly feel the arms of the nation around them.”